Mollyn Nakabea 
[Photo: File]
The Suva Magistrates court has denied a bid to vacate the trial of Former Fijian Broadcasting Corporation CEO Riyaz Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer Vimlesh Sagar.
FICAC’s application was made due to the fact that two of its crucial witnesses are not within the country.
One is currently in the United States and the other is in New Zealand.
FICAC counsel Setefano Komaibaba told the court that a subpoena is not enforceable outside the country.
However, the court found that FICAC had not explained the difficulties it faced in securing the witnesses’ presence or what efforts had been made to bring them to Fiji for the trial.
Magistrate Ratakele says the reasons to vacate the trial did not show a good cause and ruled that the trial will begin this week.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces charges of abuse of office for gain and general dishonesty causing a loss. He is accused of pursuing five legal cases without board approval, allegedly resulting in a loss of $138,813.37.
Sagar faces one count of general dishonesty causing a loss. He is accused of approving payments totalling $15,075.88 to R Patel Lawyers without board approval in 2023.
The trial will begin tomorrow on August 26.
